Hunters express doubts on dead birds find
A CABS member holding a dead night heron in the Miżieb woodland. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier
The hunters’ federation expressed reservations about Monday’s joint BirdLife-CABS bird finds, saying “these people would create seriously doubtful situations against hunting and trapping”.
The Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) said Monday’s incident, when BirdLife Malta and the Committee Against Bird Slaughter said they found about 80 dead protected birds in the Miżieb woodland was to be expected because CABS would do its utmost to give rise to such incidents in the hope it would attract public sympathy.
FKNK said it knew such circumstances would arise and, weeks prior to the BirdLife-CABS raptor camp, had alerted the authorities and was prepared to pay for a police officer on extra duty to accompany them.
“These warnings must have fallen on deaf ears,” it said, adding that, as a result, CABS “coincidentally” found birds when none of the 200 dogs belonging to hunters who frequented the area had been able to pick up.
FKNK remained mum on the alleged assault on two CABS members just before a press conference on Monday. A council member of FKNK has been arraigned over the incident.
The raptor camp has recorded protected birds being illegally targeted during the night after hundreds of raptors and a flock of 22 spoonbills, among other protected species, flew into Malta to roost.
“The 22 spoonbills roosted close to the Salina bird sanctuary, a known hotspot of illegal hunting and trapping activity,” BirdLife said. It said nine of the spoonbills flew in a south-westerly direction to leave Malta and three, which had visible gunshot injuries, remained in Salina with another two birds. The fate of the remaining spoonbills was unknown, BirdLife added.
A team on a night watch at one of the larger roosts in Girgenti heard some 26 shots during the night and reported the incidents to the police, BirdLife said. “The targeting of protected birds during the night invariably takes place every time rare species roost in the islands,” its conservation manager, Andrè Raine said. “This is a clear indication of just how ridiculous the illegal hunting situation is and it is about time the government accepts the situation for what it is: a serious international conservation problem,” he continued.
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r sammut
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:54
Shame shame shame! A few morons to cause all this!
News are made of this, and criticism is shown time and again against wrong doings in society but when it involves poaching, all hell breaks loose! Then the whole hunting community gets bundled into the one basket!
Oh how I wish that culprit/s get/s caught, but until that happens…
GianCarlo Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 16:49
I am not a hunter. In my opinion Birdlife are making things that are unbelieveble, this is because I take my dogs for walks at mizieb on sundays afternoons and my dog never found any dead birds. When CABS are present, the members find dead birds. By nature dogs have a sense of smell and are able to smell fresh and dead animals. when their will be a dead rat my dog will go and smell it and get it in her mouth. is it possible that these people are better then dogs?? While the human brain is dominated by a large visual cortex, the dog brain is dominated by an olfactory cortex.[91] The olfactory bulb in dogs is roughly forty times bigger than the olfactory bulb in humans, relative to total brain size, with 125 to 220 million smell-sensitive receptors.Dogs can discriminate odors at concentrations nearly 100 million times lower than humans can. The wet nose is essential for determining the direction of the air current containing the smell. Cold receptors in the skin are sensitive to the cooling of the skin by evaporation of the moisture by air currents.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog
Alfred Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2010, 16:03
May I suggest that Maltese hunters start taking “hunting holidays” in the UK. There hunters – of various species – seem to have better protection from the authorities and the law.
http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/the-alliance/our-campaigns/our-shooting-campaign/
Did the German TV crew seek official police permission to do the filming? If not their evidence is useless, and they themselves have committed a crime, if the information in the following link is correct. Secret filming is unlawful!
http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/our-news-and-comment/hunting-news/cps-confirms-secret-filming-is-unlawful/
Perhaps Maltese hunters may wish to consider the possibility of hunting foxes in the UK at some point in time when the relevant laws are amended!
http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/the-alliance/our-campaigns/our-hunting-campaign/
http://www.countryside-alliance.org.uk/blogcategory/242/
Johnny Xerri
Sep 23rd 2010, 21:54
Only a few days ago I questioned the fairness and legality of secreat filming.
Since warnings are issued for joyriders (not motorists) and thieves (not people) when speed cameras and CCTVs are in place, why is a criminal poacher threated differently?
I commented that if we really believe that the law knows no faces and that we are all equal in front of the law...then how is a section of criminals adviced about cameras whilst another section is sectretly filmed.
By the way, I do not believe that poachers should be warned since it would defy the scope....but niether believe that joyriders and thieves should be warned. I aslo believe in equal rights and if joyriders and thieves are warned..then so should poachers.
Unless of course we are more interested in filming a dead bird rather than filming from a visible position so that the bird is spared.
Only last spring, BLM filmed a man for a few minutes as he stalked a wader, slowly walking in its direction, shooting 3 shots and escaping. When instead of filming they could have simply stood out of cover and the poacher would have escaped...thus saving the bird
r sammut
Sep 23rd 2010, 15:14
Well they claim 80 birds found dead buried in Mizieb! The big question remains: how come this many birds in Mizieb when in the span from 1st September up to D day, the bird sightings reported by the same BLM number less? BLM sightings cover the whole Malta Archipelago, including those over Mizieb! How can Mizieb all of a sudden acquire this special pull for protected species, funnelling them there? More than say the Ghadira, Simar, Commino or Buskett reserves combined?
Up to this very day not one single report was filed about illegal shooting in Mizieb, then this find! And then at a time of intensive surveillance going on all over the place by both CABS’ watch camp and police!
Too good to be true; the certainty of discovering dead birds and timing of the whole thing, to coincide on the anniversary of last years show! Every available member gathered at Mizieb complete with foreign media coverage and commemorative banner too! The only slight omission/lapse (perhaps?!?) was the police escort, as of late, customary on every sortie carried out by CABS’!
Raymond Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:27
yes sure... probably the birds are killing themselves!
censu attard
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:43
The undeniable FACT is that PROTECTED birds were in the hands of BLM and CABs,they have no right to be in possesion of dead wild birds and also most of the dead birds were wet because they were frozen before and since they were in a plastic bag when they thow they get wet from the melting ice and also BLM and CABs already had everything planned ,banners and notice-boards were ready for the occasion.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100920/local/woman-assaulted-at-mizieb
Another thing most dog owners who go out in the country-side with their dogs know that dogs can smell a dead rotting carcass,being of a bird,rabbit even of rats and most of the time they they (the dogs) bring it or crawl or roll on it . So with so many hunters with dogs and family picnics who some of them also take dogs with them I ask how come the dead birds where not found before, very strange indeed.
,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_odor
J. Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 18:49
Pray...tell us...WHO KILLED them?
German hunters maybe?? or the Chinese and they been imported from there??
Science tells us we see with our brians... however sometimes neither brians nor eyes seem to be enough for some!
S. Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:38
Of course ... like the spoonbills and flamingos at Burmarrad. Probably their 'gunshot' wounds were applied makeup or shots by CABS so they could blame the hunters. Jahasra!!!
J. Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:19
The undeniable FACT is that PROTECTED birds have been KILLED.
Now any credible opinion WHO was behind their KILLING, wherever this may have been (in Malta)?
Going by who's filty hands were involved in the Foresta 2000 hacking (and FKNK's initial denials), some conclusions seem obvious!
P. Farrugia
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:02
80 dead and no one got caught? I would very doubt this. What I can say is that eg on Sunday I had seen lots of birds of prey and were enjoyed watched by lots at Buskett (some even thought they were 'pluvieri and some 'gamiem'!). At that time, not a single shot was heard. I think this is too much now.
m.anastasi
Sep 23rd 2010, 12:27
80 birds being buried by CABS in the hunter's own back yard & not one saw anything!
Mr B J Simmons
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:25
WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW THESE BIRDS KEEP DYING. THE FKNK SAY IT'S NOT THEM OR THEIR MEMBERS, SO MAYBE ONE CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THE BIRD PROTECTION AGENCIES ARE KILLING THE BIRDS FOR PUBLICITY? GET REAL FKNK. CONSEVATIONISTS DO NOT DO THIS. THEY WOULD RATHER NOT BE THERE TRYING TO PROTECT GOD'S CREATURES FROM THE DIABOLICAL ILLEGAL HUNTERS.
IN MALTA EVERYONE KNOWS EVERONE ELSE SO PROSECUTIONS ARE RARE AND WHEN THERE IS ONE, IT'S JUST A 'SLAP ON THE WRIST'.
IN A WAY, I WISH THE HUNTERS WOULD KILL ALL THE BIRDS AND THEN THE PROBLEM WOULD END, SADLY GOD REPLENISHES THE STOCK EVERY YEAR.
IN YESTERDAY'S DAILY TELEGRAPH THERE WAS A SMALL ARTICLE ON HOW BIRDS LIKE TURTLE DOVES ARE IN DECLINE FOLLOWING THEIR MIGRATIONS IN AND OUT OF EUROPE. OF COURSE THE ''HUNTERS'' WILL BLAME EVERY OTHER COUNTRY, BUT NEVER THEMSELVES.
THE ''HUNTERS'' NO DOUBT WILL SEND THEIR ACCUSIVE REPLIES, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT THERE AREN'T MANY BIRDS IN MALTA AND NO-ONE CAN DISPUTE THAT.
M. Cardona
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:21
Mr BJ Simmons,
the turtle dove is on the decline in the UK for a number of reasons, hunting not being one of them since the bird is protected under UK legislation. BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) had carried a study of the decline in the UK and modern farming practices like reduced stubble and pastures during the peak of rearing season due to modern farming techniques, reduced hedgegrows (EU farming policies to blame) reduced breeding season, had been identified as the main factors for the decline.
However, instead of addressing these issues, the report had suggested to use this species as a launching pad for a campaign against hunting of migratory birds.
Finally you may argue that if we hunt these turtle doves on their migration then we cause a decrease of their breeding population. May I ask you whether we hunt the other farm birds (which happen to be resident and non-migratory) also in sharp decline in the UK as identified by other studies by the BTO??? Ironically, whilst BTO identified the primary reasons for the decline, they opted to address a completely different issue!
joseph lia
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:29
Dear Mr Simmons
Reply to your question, ask CABS personnel from where those protected birds came from, they have ALL the answers, just think, CABS continuously monitor the Mizieb hunting reserve (and I mean continuously!!!), therefore most if not ALL of those alleged illegalities should be monitored, caught on tape, right? Therefore CABS & Co should have AT LEAST, what..., 80 videos of these alleged shootings?Right? Such powerful equipment and vigilance, most if not all should be on tape, there must be at least 30 or 40 tapes and footage of these protected species falling into the Mizieb area, just one video recorder should suffice to record these killings, just sit tight overlooking Mizieb from Mellieha and the proof must be 'in the bag'!, right?, by the way things are improving in Malta, believe me , check out the RSPB website....over 350 illegal killings of protected species in 2009 alone!!! And yes in the UK! Guess they don't publicize such barbaric things over there, ONLY IN MALTA.
Joe Camilleri
Sep 23rd 2010, 11:06
BUFFUNATA ohra mill BLM biex jigbdu s-simpatija tan nies.
That heron has looooooong been dead. With all those raptor etc etc camps and high tech equipment, how come they did not see all those iegalities taking place, and all in a single area.
Jason Borg
Sep 23rd 2010, 22:42
Saqsi lill-pubbliku Sur Camilleri ħa jgħidulek min hu l-buffu!
Ramon Casha
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:54
FKNK.... isn't that the entity whose council member has been charged with attempting to steal a camera and assaulting members of the public? Wasn't that same council member also previously charged with assaulting a journalist during a protest in Valletta?
If that's how some of its council members allegedly behave, it's not surprising for its other members to similarly disregard the laws.
joseph lia
Sep 23rd 2010, 14:16
Dear Mr Casha, normally I do not even consider replying to these fanatical outbursts from antis like yourself but commenting on things that are absolutely not true begs me to reply.
The council member in question you are implying to was discharged unconditionally by the court in the alleged case you are mentioning, secondly the most recent case at Mizieb is (as you should know) still sub-judice so no further comments there please, so as to respect our judicial system.
Poaching is a serious crime and unfortunately carried out worldwide least of all in our Maltese Islands, and YES to be condemned, check out the RSPB website and carefully read the statistical update for last year (2009), an absolute disaster in that over 350 illegal shooting/poisoning of protected species was recorded....YES in the UK! Indeed two wrongs do not make a right, agreed, but why don't these high and mighty Brits clean out their patch of ground first or is it that the UK has strong ties in the EU? Check out Germany's poaching statistics while youre at it, you will be amazed, drop a few lines there to condemn these vile acts too!
Chris Finch
Sep 23rd 2010, 10:33
The only doubt now is to the credibility of the FKNK.
Remember before the start of the present season, an edict was issued by the FKNK council for all its members to show restraint and not succumb to any perceived 'provocation'.
It seems some council members missed that meeting.
Have a look on their forum if there is any doubt as to the average mentality of the membership. There are people bragging about shooting protected species, inciting violence against others etc.
M. Cardona
Sep 23rd 2010, 13:52
Mr C Finch ( or whatever other bird species of your choice)
You may wish to note that on the FHC online forum, there are people who aren't hunters, are not registered with FHC, don't hold a licence to keep or carry a firearm (possibly from the anti-hunting camp) and yet pose as hunters "bragging about shooting protected species"!
"is not a member of the FKNK and does not hold a hunting and/or trapping licence"
quote from
http://forum.huntinginmalta.org.mt//YaBB.pl?num=1284654891